Boots for barefoot horse?

[Torrie]

Originally posted this on the tack room, then realized it was more suited to this forum!

Just wondering if anyone has used/uses boots, rather than has their horse shod? And what are your opinions on them.

Before anyone says 'Why don't you just get your horse shod if he can't be barefoot', i welcome you to come and try, but currently farrier's won't! due to him being a little nervy and anti-male (But we're working on it! ) and i'm unable to find a local female farrier who does shoes! Boots have been suggested by the farrier as a short term solution.

What do you think?

 

[AngieandBen]

Ben was terrified of farriers, or rather being shod not sure which or both! however, he had to be sedated before I bought him and at the age of 18 I decided I could not put him through it every 6 weeks so we went bare. Three years later he is still quite happy in his hoof boots

I use the Cavallo's, good price and very easy to put on, we do pleasure rides/hacking about 4/5 times a week for up to 3 hours, never had any problems at all with them. He could go without any boots for short rides, but he does struggle on hard/rutted or stoney ground. He is 22 now and still going strong with very good joints, I think being bare has made such a difference to his overall well being.